Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-10
THE ARMY.
Report of the Secretary Of War on the
N Hilary Establishment.
Its Cost During the Past Year and Esti.
mates for the Ensuing.
Appropriations Needed for Sew Ord.
nance.
Of Every Kind Needed ON
the Pacific Coast.
An Increase of Five Thousand Men
Recommended.

WASHINGTON, December 6.-The annua
report OF the Secretary OF War shows the
expenditures OF The department during the
fiscal year amount to Sal, 3S7,165. Tht
estimates for the next fiscal year aggregate
S53,33s, 750. against an appropriation fol-
tie current year of $31 ,O55, 3O2. The in.
crease is caused by the incorporation oil
estimates OF $22 1885, isl for public works,
including river and Earbor improvements,
the expenditures or this account for the
current year amounting to only 81 ,3O8,-
400. Ths Secretary says: The estimates
for the military establishment are based
on actual requirements of the service.
During recent years the appropriation for
transportation Of tho army has been in.
adequate to meet the cost thereof, and
failure to appropriate funds for that serv-
ice has caused much embarrassment. The
Secretary refers to General Schofield's
recommendation that at least une-eighth
muzzle-loading gun with appliances
for target practice, and one or more new
br~eceh-loading runs and mortars be fur.
nished each military post with a view to
in
ARTILLERY INSTRUCTION..
Touching Geronimo and his fellow Cap
0 confined at Fort Pickens and
Vernon barracks. the report says
hat at this time it is q difficult matter to
find Tor them a permanent home for many
reasons. 1t is impossible to return them
to Arizona. Under existing laws they can
not be taken to the Indian Territory, and
on the Northern reservations the climate
- too cold for them. The report refers
briefly to the difficulty in August last in
lolorow between the State authorities
aud Colorado bands of Utes and says an
Effort should to made for the restoration
'f their property to the Indians. The re.
bort approves OF the recommendation in
General Sheridan y report Touching OK ton.
ion of all possible aid by the General Gov
to the National Guard of the diff
erent States and suggesting a system of
encampments for the State Mill
ia at the expense OF the National Govern
tent.
A CLASH OF
In reference to the pay department OF
he army, the report says: There is a
requent clashing Of authority between the
Var and Treasury Departments in regard
o payments directed to the former. To
ne great embarrassment OF the disbursing |
ficer. accounts are ~disallowed. The dis.
f payments made by al d I'M.
er such authority works great hardship |
0 the distributing officer, as, on the one
and he is confronted with q charge OF
isobedience, and on the other assuming a
ability forwhich either he or his sccuri.
les will lie held ~pecuniarily responsible.
n order to prevent this l recommend that
ne powers o; the respective depart
rents be clearly defined by Il legislative
Copious quotations are made from
ne re- OF the Chief OF Ordnance reia.
We to the success OF domestic manufac-
lrers in producing high-grade stee', the
DISABILITY Of increased appropriations
VI the supply OF ordnance for
EXPERIMENTS WITH DYNAMITE
'rpedo guns and those now in progress
ith shells charged with high explosives
red by means OF gunpowder. In conclud-
g his report, the Secretary says: The re-
lit OF the examination for promotion un-
civil service regulations which were ap-
led to the War Department in May we're
satisfactory. The total number of clerks
was I,OZ4 OF which 9G3 or nine
'r ce1t passed. l renew recommendations
'ntalned In my previous reports and in
lose OF my predecessor for the appoint
ent OF an Assistant Secretary Of War and
an Assistant Attorney General to ad- {
M assist in the legal and technical {
lestions which daily occur. Attention is :
lied to the TACT hat the Pacific Coast is !
stltnte OF Notifications, guns and arma- t
ent OF every description, while San Fran +
'cn is without a single gun which ran be +
with safety with the present charges T
powder and modern projectiles. Favor n
10 Endorsement is also given to the 6
Generals Recommendation that
3
PRESENT STRENGTH OF THE ARMY
by 5000 men, and PARTICULAR z